Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has committed to revamping and upgrading zonal hospitals across the three senatorial districts to improve healthcare delivery. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the medical referral system in local communities, was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Oreh highlighted the importance of the project in ensuring that rural areas have better access to quality healthcare, aligning with the governor’s promise to prioritize the health sector. Since taking office, Governor Fubara has actively implemented the State Contributory Health Protection Programme, which includes a health insurance scheme designed to support vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, the elderly, the poor, and persons with disabilities.
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Rivers State’s efforts in the healthcare sector have been recognized nationally, with the state set to be honored at the 2024 Private Sector Health Alliance Nigeria Awards and Gala Night, alongside Lagos and Kaduna States. The award celebrates improvements in health equity and access in Nigeria.
One of the state’s recent achievements includes a partnership with UNICEF, IHS Towers, and the Canadian Government, which led to the handover of a 720,000-litre oxygen plant at Eleme General Hospital. Additionally, collaborations with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have expanded access to family planning and reproductive health services across the state’s local government areas.
At the tertiary level, Dr. Oreh noted significant upgrades at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, including the establishment of specialized units like a Stroke Centre, a Burns Unit, and an expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The hospital has also gained accreditation in various medical specialties, including Pediatrics, Surgery, and Orthopedics.
Further highlighting the government’s innovation in healthcare, Dr. Oreh pointed out new mental health services, eye care, and obstetric imaging introduced at the primary healthcare level, as well as the establishment of acute malnutrition management sites and the employment of 2,000 health workers.
The Healthcare Alliance Nigeria Award and Gala Night, where Rivers will be recognized for its contributions, is set to take place on October 25, 2024, in Lagos.
